Murrow Indian Children's Home Radiothon

A daylong effort to save a home that helps disadvantaged Native American children starts Friday. The Murrow Indian Children's Home first opened more than 100 years ago. But now, it's in danger

Thursday, May 3rd 2007, 8:26 pm

By: News On 6

A daylong effort to save a home that helps disadvantaged Native American children starts Friday. The Murrow Indian Children's Home first opened more than 100 years ago. But now, it's in danger of closing because they're running out of money. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports to help save the home a group of radio stations plans to hold a radiothon.

"When my brother and I first came we were in the house together," Muskogee resident Anita Custer said.

To Anita Custer and many others, the Murrow Indian Children's Home in Muskogee is a special place. Itâ€™s where she grew up.

"All those are still my family," she said.

Custer arrived at the home as a girl, just five years old when her father had a stroke and couldn't care for her and her little brother.

"What does this place mean to you?â€ asked News On 6 anchor Craig Day.

â€œWhat does home mean to anybody? There's no other way to describe it, and when I found out it might close, it just killed me," said Custer.

The Murrow home, which provides a safe, secure home for Native American children in need, nearly closed earlier this year when it was running out of money.

"We were just in a crisis,â€ Murrow Home Director Joan Brown said. â€œIt was a matter of making choices between paying the grocery bill or the staff."

One cottage was shut down to save money, and some children in need had to be turned away. In February, the Creek Nation stepped forward with a $100,000 donation to the Murrow Indian Children's Home. It's enough to last through the end of June, now with that deadline approaching, more help is needed.

Tallgrass Broadcasting, which owns radio stations in Bartlesville, Independence, Kansas, Texas and New Mexico, hopes to provide some help. They're raising money for Murrow during a Friday radiothon. It is welcome news for those who love the home and its mission.

"I just don't think God is through with us," Brown said.

"I know what Murrow is to a lot of people, past, present and future. It needs to be here," said Custer.

Fridayâ€™s radiothon will run from 6 a.m. 10 p.m. at all of Tallgrass Broadcasting's radio stations. The nearest is KOSG 103.9 FM in Bartlesville. If you canâ€™t make it to Bartlesville, but still want to help you can call 918-333-8550, or you can get more information by emailing mdm2@rwa911.com.

Watch the video: Fundraiser Planned For Murrow Indian Children's Home

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12/31/2006 Oklahoma Children's Home Expects To Close